Senate Resolution 5

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. WILFRED COLE OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI TENNIS HALL OF FAME.

WHEREAS, The Tennis Foundation of Mississippi recently announced the selection of Dr. Wilfred Cole for induction into the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cole was a member of Central High School's tennis team. He enrolled in the University of Mississippi in 1942 but entered the Army in 1943, where he became a staff sergeant and light machine gun squad leader. He went into combat and received two Combat Stars and one Bronze Star; and

WHEREAS, in 1946, he returned to Ole Miss, but completed medical school at the University of Virginia in 1951. Dr. Cole was a pediatric resident at the University of Alabama from 1951 to 1954, then began his pediatric practice. He taught pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, then went to Duke University on a pediatric allergy fellowship in 1961; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cole returned to UMC and started the Cystic Fibrosis and Pediatric Allergy Clinics. He also founded the Mississippi Allergy Clinic. When he retired from the clinic as Professor of Pediatrics in 1965, Dr. Cole began playing tennis at Battlefield Park; and

WHEREAS, he was elected to the Board of Directors at River Hills and later President. He played serious tennis from 1969 until 1983 and was ranked 23 times in the State of Mississippi, three of which were number one rankings and five times in the Southern Section. From 1973 through 1974 he was elected President of the Mississippi Tennis Association. After foot surgery and a cardiac bypass, Dr. Cole began playing for the pure enjoyment of the sport; and

WHEREAS, he became Tournament Chairman of Southern Seniors Championship in 1984 and 1991 and Tournament Chairman of National Clay Court Championship in 1992; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the athletic and career accomplishments of this active Mississippian who has brought honor to his city and his state as a veteran, as a distinguished physician and as a sportsman, and who is an inspiration to young and old tennis players alike:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Wilfred Cole of Jackson, Mississippi, upon the occasion of his induction into the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Cole and his family, be forwarded to the Tennis Foundation of Mississippi and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.